Awards for the Best and Worst of Politics in 2013

Yes, folks, it’s time again for my end-of-the-year awards. It’s been a weird year, but face it: Weird is the new normal in politics.

Eight weeks ago, everyone was talking about the shutdown. A month ago, it was the launch of Obamacare. Now it’s, well, I’m not sure. In early October, it looked as if John A. Boehner’s speakership might not survive the year. And now, many are wondering how Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has survived this long.

I nominated a number of formidable contenders for each category before picking my own winner. If you don’t agree and would like to complain, please send a single-spaced letter outlining your reasons for disagreeing with my selection (along with citations to support your argument) to Edward Snowden. Just leave my name out of it.

Most Vulnerable Incumbent Up in 2014

And the winner is … all of the incumbents on this list are in deep trouble, but the one most likely to lose is DesJarlais. (I don’t handicap Canadian contests.)

My Most “Interesting” Candidate Interview of 2013

The nominees:

Annette Bosworth, a GOP Senate candidate in South Dakota who was both charismatic and compelling, with quite a personal story. But did it all add up? Plus, I rarely see candidates who have absolutely no clue how to put together a winning campaign.

Daylin Leach, a Democrat seeking Pennsylvania’s 13th District. He’s a funny, smart congressional hopeful who seemed to understand that being relaxed and natural in a candidate interview isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Mead Treadwell, the GOP lieutenant governor of Alaska who is running for Senate. Memorable because the candidate couldn’t get his chip off his shoulder. Never has a candidate spent so much time complaining about an earlier article about him.

And the winner is … University of Connecticut women win their eighth basketball title, routing Louisville 93-60. It’s my column. I’ll pick who I want. If you don’t like it, get your own damn column.

Phrases You Should Never Utter

The nominees:

“Mission accomplished.”

“If you like your [insurance] plan, you can keep it. Period.”

“I’ve never used performance enhancing drugs of any kind, and I never will.”

“Have I tried (crack cocaine)? Um, probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago.”

“It’s my column. I’ll pick who I want. If you don’t like it, get your own damn column.”

And the winner is … “It’s my column. I’ll pick who I want. If you don’t like it, get your own damn column.”

The Most Ridiculous Campaign of 2013

The nominees:

Barbara Buono for New Jersey governor

E.W. Jackson for Virginia lieutenant governor

Elizabeth Colbert Busch for Congress in South Carolina

Steve Lonegan for New Jersey Senate

And the winner is … Well, it’s not Buono, who was abandoned by her party. Colbert Busch wasn’t entirely ready for prime time, but the district was against her. Neither Jackson nor Lonegan had a chance from the start, so their campaigns were irrelevant. That would seem to eliminate them. So, on a write-in, the award goes to the delusional delegates of the Virginia Republican convention, who kicked away the state’s number two office by nominating a candidate who never had a chance. Smart move, guys.

And the winner is … changing the filibuster. The slide down the slippery slope has begun. Congratulations, the Senate is now on its way to becoming more like the House. That should encourage cooperation and compromise. But those Senate retirements — and the loss of both institutional knowledge and some thoughtful senators — are really, really depressing.

I would suggest adding Scott Peter (D-CA) to your list of most vulnerable incumbents in 2014 since Carl DeMaio is running against him

kind67

Rep. Scott Peters, not Scott Peter

DragonAtma

Just as exceptionally bad films can “win” multiple razzies, “Shutting down the government” is the “winner” for biggest mistake, worst political decision, biggest story.

It *should* be the winner of biggest surprise as well, but given the jokers in congress, it’s not even close. *sigh*

dweasson

You had me right up to the point you said the retirement of Saxby Chambliss is a loss to the Senate. He is certainly not an elder statesman, being only in his second term. And he proved himself is a royal SOB beneath even today’s low standards for political behavior for the disgusting campaign he ran against war hero Max Cleland. Good riddance to him, I say.

southerndemnut

I agree, Chambliss has not been as offensive a Senator as some others, but as a veteran, I have yet to forgive him for his treatment of then Sen. Max Cleland in the 2002 campaign. He could have run some other way than to challenge his “patriotism.”

teapartyidiots

I agree. Chuck Hagel and John McCain were aghast. He called a man with one non-bionic limb and a silver star a coward and not a patriot. It was reprehensible.